Automatic tape playback apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic tape playback apparatus comprising a plurality of cartridges each having incorporated therein a reel with a recorded magnetic tape wound thereon and means for fastening one end portion of the tape to one sidewall of the cartridge, means for arranging the plurality of cartridges in order of a program, means for automatically bringing the cartridges to right and left playback positions, means for drawing out the tape from the cartridge to a takeup reel, and means for playing back signals recorded on the tape.

United States Patent Inventors Appl. No.

Filed Patented Assignee Priority AUTOMATIC TAPE PLAYBACK APPARATUS wClaims 44 Drawmg Flgs' for fastening one end portion of the tape to onesidewall of the US. Cl 242/181. cartridge, means for arranging theplurality of cartridges in Int. Cl G031; 1/04, order of a program, meansfor automatically bringing the car- 1,

G1 1b 15/32 tridges to right and left playback positions, means fordrawing Field of Search 242/5513, out the tape from the cartridge to atakeup reel, and means for Saburo Umeda; [56] References Cited TokioKilllkfl; Kiyoshi lwai; Susumu UNITED STATES PATENTS E323 3,353,763 11/1967 Mouissie 242/198 698,773 I 3,167,266 1/1965 St1b1tz 242/5513 Jam18 1968 3,195,825 7/1965 Louzil 242/5513 July 207 1971 3,227,387 1/1966Laa etal.,.................... 242/5513 Nippon Columbia Kabushikikaisha3,379,387 4/1968 Takahashi et al 242/5513 (Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd.)Primary Examiner-Leonard D. Christian Tokyo, Japan Attorney-Hill,Sherman, Meroni, Gross and Simpson Jan. 23, 1967 Jap n I ABSTRACT: Anautomatic tape playback apparatus comprising a plurality of cartridgeseach having incorporated therein a reel with a recorded magnetic tapewound thereon and means playing back signals recorded on the tape.

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PATENTED JULZOIQYi SHEET 10 2L 3593,94 1

BY ATTYS.

PATENTEDJUL20|97| 3593944 SHEET 18 0F 21 EN 24 ATTYS.

PATENTED JUL2O I97! SHEET 19 0F 21 INVENTORS Zyos/z/fwad a, 75/0 Mlzwa0215407941 Eunada Saba/"0 flmed BY C6124

1. An automatic tape playback apparatus having a frame and comprising apair of tape playback units, a plurality of cartridges, a plurality ofreels each mounted in said cartridges and each containing a recordedmagnetic tape, means for arranging said plurality of cartridges in theorder of a program, means for automatically alternately positioning saidplurality of cartridges at said pair of tape playback units, takeupreels mounted on said tape playback units, means provided on said tapeplayback units for feeding a tape from a cartridge into each of saidtape playback units and to said takeup reels without requiring a leaderon the tape, clamping means provided on said takeup reels forautomatically clamping said tape, and a pair of playback means forautomatically playing back signals recorded on said tapes, mounted oneach of said tape playback units.
 2. An automatic tape playbackapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided forrewinding the tape from one of said takeup reels into said cartridgeafter said tape has been played back, and means for moving saidcartridge to a cartridge stored position.
 3. An automatic tape playbackapparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein means are provided forpositioning said takeup reels, a plurality of rotary shafts upon whichsaid takeup reels are mounted, each of said positioning means consistingof a first means fixed to one of said rotary shafts and a second meansengaging said first means to move each of said takeup reels to apredetermined position.
 4. An automatic tape playback apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said first and second means are cams.
 5. Anautomatic tape playback apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein meansare provided for detecting the presence of magnetic tape wound on eachof said takeup reels.
 6. An automatic tape playback apparatus as claimedin claim 5, wherein said detecting means consists of a rotary arm oneend of which is pivoted to said frame, a plurality of conductorssupported at the other end of said arm and hubs of each of said takeupreels with the outer periphery of said hubs being made of conductivematerial.
 7. An automatic tape playback apparatus as claimed in claim 1,wherein said tape clamping means comprises a tape holding means, a meansfor operating said tape holding means, and a means for moving said tapeholding means between said cartridge in playback position and saidtakeup reel.
 8. An automatic tape playback apparatus as claimed in claim1, wherein each of said tape playback units comprises first capstansdriven at constant speed, second capstans driven in constant torque,first pinch rollers engaging said first capstans, second pinch rollersengaging said second capstans, and magnetic heads disposed between saidfirst and second capstans.
 9. An automatic tape playback apparatushaving a frame and comprising a pair of tape playback units, a pluralityof cartridges, a plurality of reels each mounted in said cartridges andeach containing a recorded magnetic tape, means for arranging saidplurality of cartridges in the order of a program, means forautomatically alternately positioning said plurality of cartridges atsaid pair of tape playback units, takeup reels mounted on said tapeplayback units, means provided on said tape playback units for feeding atape from a cartridge intO each of said tape playback units and to saidtakeup reels, clamping means provided on said takeup reels forautomatically clamping said tape, and a pair of playback means forautomatically playing back signals recorded on said tapes, mounted oneach of said tape playback units.
 10. A cartridge for use with anautomatic tape playback apparatus comprising a conventional reelrotatably supported within said cartridge, a magnetic tape wound on saidreel, a recess formed in said cartridge from which said tape may bewithdrawn, an aperture formed in said cartridge through which said reelmay be rotated by a rotating means, means for clamping said reel whensaid cartridge is not positioned in a playback position comprisingspring means urging said reel against the periphery of said cartridgearound said aperture and a brake shoe mounted about said periphery ofsaid aperture on said cartridge to engage said reel when it is not beingrotated by said rotating means, a guide means mounted in said cartridge,means for clamping a free end of said magnetic tape, and said tapepassing through said guide means across said recess.